Story Highlights

Broward sheriff called for giving law enforcement more power to detain people who make threats.

Florida's Governor said he wants to work with lawmakers to address mental illness.

PARKLAND, Fla. - An orphaned 19-year-old with a troubled past and his own AR-15 rifle was charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder Thursday morning following the deadliest school shooting in the U.S. in five years.

Law enforcement officials said Nikolas Cruz legally purchased the assault weapon used in the attack.

At a news conference Thursday morning, Florida Gov. Rick Scott said he's already told House Speaker Paul Ryan that "if someone is mentally ill he should not have access to a gun."

Broward County Schools Superintendent Rob Runcie said "now is the time to have a real conversation about gun control legislation," and said that if adults can't manage that in their lifetimes, he said students will do it.

Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel called for giving law enforcement more power to detain people who make threats.

"What I'm asking our lawmakers to do is go back to places like Tallahassee and Washington, D.C., to give police the power," the sheriff said, to detain people who make graphic threats or post disturbing material online, and bring them involuntarily to mental health professionals to be examined.

The sheriff said law enforcement can certainly visit gun owners whose mental health is questioned, "whether they have a gun legally or not."

Thirteen wounded survivors were hospitalized, including two people in critical condition. The sheriff said some bodies remained inside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School as authorities investigate the crime scene. The slain included a school athletic director and another adult who worked as a monitor at the school. Runcie called them heroes.

LIVE MINUTE-BY-MINUTE UPDATES:

6:45 p.m.:

Large crowds have gathered in Parkland for a vigil.

5:15 p.m.:

During an emotional news conference, Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel read the names of the 17 victims.

The school superintendent said students are saying that now is the time for sensible gun laws and proper mental health help.

10:52 a.m.:

The special agent with the Miami Division of the FBI Rob Lasky said there was a comment made on a YouTube page in 2015 that said "I'm going to be a professional school shooter" but authorities couldn't identify the true identity of who posted the comment.

10:51 a.m.:

Florida Governor Rick Scott said he will sit down with state leaders about school safety and how to get people "with mental illnesses not touch a gun."

10:48 a.m.

The sheriff said there have been copy-cat reports of shootings in the area.

10:47 a.m.

The Broward County sheriff said all victims' families have been notified and that “the community is hurting right now.”

7:43 a.m.

President Trump tweets on Florida school shooting suspect: "Neighbors and classmates knew he was a big problem. Must always report such instances to authorities, again and again!"

The football coach who was shot while protecting students has died, according to the school's football team.

It is with Great sadness that our Football Family has learned about the death of Aaron Feis. He was our Assistant Football Coach and security guard. He selflessly shielded students from the shooter when he was shot. He died a hero and he will forever be in our hearts and memories pic.twitter.com/O181FvuHl3